Angie Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 We found a snake curled up around our water stop cock in the garden - its down a nice deep hole so safe and cosy. It was black with yellow rings, about a finger in diameter and from what we could estimate about 40 - 50 cms long. A friend in UK who knows a lot about these things said it sounded like a King snake and the photos online would back this up. However, these only seem to be found in the USA. Can I assume therefore that this has escaped from someone's collection or perhaps its a different type of snake. Can anyone help and advise especially if dangerous. Don't think my husband will be turning the water off again anytime in the near future in any case! Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loiseau Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Could it have been a grass snake, Angie?http://www.arkive.org/grass-snake/natrix-natrix/image-A7229.htmlIf so, they are not dangerous - but I agree, it would give me a nasty jump to find one in the water hole.If you want to compare grass snakes (couleuvres) with adders (vipères) you can check here:http://www.20minutes.fr/planete/764762-20110801-comment-reconnaitre-couleuvre-vipereAngela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 Thanks for replying so promptly Loiseau. Don't think it was a grass snake, that was my initial thought - it had distinctive bright yellow rings on a very black skin rather than the sort of zig zag pattern of the grass snake. If I see it again I will try and pluck up the courage to take a photo!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loiseau Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Or what about this one?http://www.planetepassion.eu/snakes-in-france/western-whip-snake-france.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vette Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 We had an encounter with a similar sounding Snake a while back. It turned out to be an 'Aesculapian' Snake. It was black with yellow markings, around 5 feet long and looked quite threatening as it was ready to strike out at my missus.They are also called Rat Snakes and are the symbol used on Doctors badges.They are a constrictor and not venomous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ventodue Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 [quote user="vette"]We had an encounter with a similar sounding Snake a while back. It turned out to be an 'Aesculapian' Snake. It was black with yellow markings, around 5 feet long and looked quite threatening as it was ready to strike out at my missus.They are also called Rat Snakes and are the symbol used on Doctors badges.They are a constrictor and not venomous.[/quote]Could be, Vette, could be ... altho' Aesculapian tends to be fairly uniform yellow-brown or grey-brown-black in colour without any, or only faint, rings. They do sometimes have spots of white/pale above and also pale, often yellowish, bellies.I suspect Loiseau has got it right with Western Whip Snake (see my posting on the other thread), but we'll have to wait to see what Angie says.P.s Thanks for pointing out that Aesculapian is not venemous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val_2 Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Daily Mail online at moment showing a King snake living under floorboards in Plymouth and has bitten the dog in the house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonzjob Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Is there any chance that these 2 threads could be merged please milk monitors [blink][blink]It would save confustication me-thinks?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sesjaumsd Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 A while ago, we met a Snake that sounded like this one. The snake turned out to be a "Aesculapian." It was about 5 feet long, black with yellow spots, and looked pretty scary because it was ready to attack my wife. gmail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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